Bob and Groz: Mariners send message with trade for David Phelps
Jul 20, 2017, 3:15 PM | Updated: 5:28 pm
Jerry Dipoto is making moves again. The Mariners general manager acquired right-handed reliever David Phelps in a trade with the Marlins Thursday, adding depth to their bullpen.
Seattle is sitting at .500 (48-48) entering a four-game series at home against the Yankees (48-45). The team is 1.5 games back in the wild-card race, and according to Bob Stelton and Dave Grosby of 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Bob, Groz and Tom”, Dipoto is sending a clear message with this move: The Mariners are fighting for contention, and they’re looking to win now.
But just how much can a move like this bolster a team? Does the addition of Phelps legitimately give the Mariners a better shot at the postseason?
Watch Bob and Groz discuss the significance of the trade, including what they see in Phelps and what kind of help he’ll bring to the bullpen. Finally, they also explain why – regardless of Phelps’ numbers – the trade is about more than just adding a reliever.